Elephant Rocks State Park.....Natures Jungle Gym

Take a climb along Missouri’s Elephant rocks; Nature’s jungle gym, hidden away in Missouri.

The 7.5-acre Elephant Rock natural area may be small compared to many Missouri State Parks, but you will find much to do while there.  The giant red granite boulders make the perfect playground for kids of all ages!  Scramble, jump, climb to the top, squeeze between the smallest crack, and hear your echo from the top of the mountain.  A perfect photo backdrop, an outdoor jungle gym for children of all ages, and a trail specifically designed for people with visual or physical disabilities.

I can tell you all the specifics about Elephant Rocks State Park, or I can tell you why we seem to find ourselves returning to this park year after year.  Our first visit was when our little man, was just barely walking, and truly this park would seem dangerous with gigantic boulders everywhere, but is one of the best parks to take your toddlers!  The trails through Elephant Rocks State Park are easy to maneuver, the giant boulders give a perfect climbing ground, even when they actually cannot climb them, and the view from the lookout is just peaceful.  Yearly, as we began to make our travel list Elephant Rocks always seems to be at the top, and why would we want to return every year?  Total freedom, as we adventure through the giant pink boulders.

Elephant Rocks State Park is located in Belleview, Mo in Iron County Missouri; the park is open year around; summer months 8 am to 8 pm and winter months 8 am to 5 pm.  The park grounds have two trails, and one is a handicap accessible walking trail, picnic area, playground, and a wealth of history behind it.  The park is said to be most beautiful in mid –spring when the trees begin to sprout, or late fall as the leaves change to their beautiful fall colors.

~Becky Davenport